Sheep & Dogs

Working Sheepdog Demonstrations

While today’s presentation is a demonstration of the capabilities of shepherd and sheep dogs, the Colonial Highland Gathering has in the past presented World Championship Sheep Dog Trials, a contest involving teams of shepherds and dogs from around the world competing for top honors.

The first World Championship Trial was held in 1973 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Sheep Dog Trial held in Wales. Teams representing the U.S., Canada, Britain and South Africa participated. Great Britain took the top prize awarded to Raymond MacPherson and his dog, Nap. Honored guests that year included Hon. &Mrs. Charles L. Booth, M.V.O., Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul General, Hon. J.S.F. Botha, Ambassador, Embassy of South Africa, Mr. &Mrs. J.E. Kepper, First Secretary, Canadian Embassy, Dr. Paul DeLay, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and Archibald McDiarmid, Esq., President, International Sheep Dog Society, Gourock, Scotland.

A second World Championship was held in 1976 as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration.

The 1973 program included the following article by Gathering steward, John H. Shropshire.